Features

PAST ENCOUNTERS WITH THE VILLA

PUBLISHED

14:00 7th November 2013

by Richard Shepherd

We look back at our most recent games with Saturday's opponents

When it comes to Premier League mainstays, Aston Villa and Villa Park are one of just seven inaugural members of the Premier League to have never been relegated from the top-flight since the league started in 1992.

As a result, recent encounters between the two sides come few and far between, the Bluebirds enjoying their first season in the Premier League and their first in the top-flight for 51-years.

However, our previous visit to Villa Park came just four years ago, on 23rd September 2009 when we lost 1-0 to Aston Villa in the third round of the Carling (League) Cup. Gaby Agbonlahor scored after just three minutes, but the Bluebirds were denied an equaliser when Jay Bothroyd's late effort was ruled out for offside. City had beaten Dagenham & Redbridge and then Bristol Rovers to reach the third round at Villa Park.

We have not played Villa in a League match since 1974/75 when both clubs were in the old Division Two. Villa won promotion as runners-up to Manchester United that season. In the game at Ninian Park on December 28th 1974 City claimed a 3-1 win with goals from Derek Showers (pictured), John Buchanan and Jack Whitham.

The Bluebirds were 3-0 up at half-time, Chico Hamilton scored for Villa in the second half. They included Welsh International Leighton Phillips who had joined them from Cardiff the previous September. City moved to 18th in the table, Villa were 7th.